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In Praise Of Shirani Bandaranayake

Shirani Bandaranayake has gone home, thrown out of office sans pension, sans dignity which was stripped from her by those who claim to be acting in the name of the majority.

“Majorities do not decide what is right or wrong; your conscience does. So why should a citizen surrender his or her conscience to a legislator? For we must NEVER EVER kneel down before the tyranny of a majority!” — Samantha Booke. In the Great Debaters.

Shirani Bandaranayake has done just that. The Courts have quashed the decision against her. She was not given the rights extended to every person under our law- the right to natural justice. She is a victim of man’s inhumanity to man. She refused to resign and we applaud her for that ; for it is a great sacrifice on her part for the cause of the Rule of Law and the independence of the Judiciary. Our selfish , hypocritical politicized society is characterized by everyone working in his or her own greedy self-interests and huddling together with those of their tribe, at war with all those outside who they regard as enemies to be beaten into submission by hook or by crook. What breaks a human mind out of that iron cage of selfishness is a sacrifice. The martyr who gives up everything, who abandons all personal gain, who lays down his life for the good of those outside his group is the hero for us Christians. . “You will have to make up for the smallness of your size by your courage and selfless devotion to duty, for it is not life that matters, but the courage, fortitude and determination you bring to it.” ― Muhammad Ali Jinna. Shirani Bandaranaike ought to become a symbol for all those who stand for the Rule of Law and Justice like Abraham Lincoln or Patrick Henry.

She has offered a sacrifice – a sacrifice of her career for what is a valuable principle in a society- the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Judiciary. She will long be remembered for her courage in the face of all the taunts, the mudslinging and the mob terror unleashed on her by those responsible for the impeachment and whoever was behind them. She acted according to the dictates of her conscience in giving judgment on the Divineguma Bill. She could have obliged the powers that be by giving an opinion which the authorities wanted. She didn’t, preferring to act according to her conscience. She could have resigned and preserved her future career rather than face the indignity of being found guilty even though by a body declared as illegal by the highest Courts of the land. She is an exceptional person indeed for most of our high officials prefer to look after their personal interests rather than stand up for a principle. She acted according o her conscience and paid a heavy price for it. Conscience is the moral intuition and Christians consider it the voice of God in the soul.” It is the knowledge that one must always do right and never wrong, the knowledge of one’s absolute obligation to goodness, all goodness: justice and charity and virtue and holiness; only in the second place is it the knowledge of which things are right and which things are wrong.

But even her accusers refer to their conscience, like the devil quoting Scripture. But as pointed out by Cardinal Newman(1801-1890) conscience can be invoked even to justify evil actions – He wrote thus : Conscience is a stern monitor, but in this century it has been superseded by a counterfeit, which the eighteen centuries prior to it never heard of, and could not have mistaken for it, if they had. It is the right of self-will.” —Conscience has rights because it has duties; but in this age, with a large portion of the public, it is the very right and freedom of conscience to dispense with conscience, to ignore a Lawgiver and Judge, to be independent of unseen obligations.

“The leader for the time being, whoever he may be, is but an instrument, to be used until broken and then to be cast aside; and if he is worth his salt he will care no more when he is broken than a soldier cares when he is sent where his life is forfeit in order that the victory may be won.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Latest comments

Ranjith Bandara/January 26, 2013

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By accidently you never ever want to born in Rajapaksha land. Sinhalese by nature very selfish ungreateful people. Never ever helped of fight for them. See what anagarika Dhramapala said. “Even my dead body do not bring to this ungrtaeful sinhalaese to see”

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These traitors want Sri Lanka reported to the UN. These scum will even sell their parents if it benefits them.Dodgy Ex CJ was only impeached and not impaired . Where were all these Pundits and traitors when the JVP and the LTTE were killing innocent people on their thousands . Did they open their mouths then? Thanks to our fearless leader Mahinda who saved the country from terrorists scum . Now that the country is free the traitors to the motherland have come out of their holes and trying to subvert this great government of Mahinda. The Diaspora and the bribe taking western politicians too have joined these traitors . The government should monitor the activities of the anti government scum and should take appropriate action.

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shan/January 26, 2013

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She will be forgotton,soon.This is the litmus test for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans. Who is talking or protesting now? It has taken is course. It’s over. Back to business as usual. What a country! What a people!

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Citizen/January 26, 2013

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Now it is upto the Judges to determine in sensational cases to discharge their duties without any fear. After all if there is majority decision what can a CJ with his his dissenting judgment. Moreover, we will have to wait until the outcome of the Commonwealth leaders in February. I still feel there will be some consolation for Dr.Shirani B in some form or other. Her sacking by way of barbaric means by MR’s regime is a great loss to the entire Sri Lankans, other than uncivilized goons of MR & Co. It is regretted to observe even that the Maha Nayakas and other religious dignitaries were not united in raising their voices, which if occurred, the entire nation would have joined, at a time when foreign democratic countries have condemned such evil-minded impeachment of the CJ. What is the big idea of preaching Dharma which applies to other religious dignitaries as well.

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Lanka Muslim, UK/January 26, 2013

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Shirani, as the Chief Justice; erred once, twice, thrice; but a human being with conscience did not want to go erring further. She resented the pressure on her to do the wrong again. She reformed herself to act on human conscience. That should be the nature of a public figure, to act in the interests of the people and not the corrupt, self-seeking politics. She is an example to several others who mortgage their conscience and responsibility to the people for the privileges and perks they enjoy from corrupt politics.

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British Muslim-Sri Lanka/January 27, 2013

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“As the Chief Justice, she erred once, twice, thrice; but as a human being with conscience she did not want to go erring further.”

Have you not heard that under law, there is no room for erring twice, thrice and further on however much your conscience may allow you to. In her capacity, there is absolutely no room for petty indiscretions of the 1.6m discount type or that of her husbands fiddling with peoples pension funds. She should have upheld the honor of the high office and resigned before being booted out unceremoniously.Next, you are going to advocate setting murderers free on account of their repenting the first crime, subsequently. This is a funny kinda law. Heh, heh. Thank god you are not advocating the application of Sharia law here.

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Safa/January 27, 2013

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Shirani Bandaranaike did not yield to the dictates of the power hungry junta. She maintained the dignity of the Supreme Court and held the scales of justice evenly despite the immense pressure brought to bear on her. She did not enjoy the security or protection of the government but stood alone, on her own depending only on the Dhamma to protect her. Those who live by the Dhamma will be protected by the Dhamma.

Truth and Justice are the eternal values of the universe. No doubt the day will dawn when she can challenge and gain restitution of her rights before a just and impartial tribunal. If not befor mortals but surely by the law of the universe and karma.

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Sunila Mendis/January 27, 2013

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Sri Lankans though outwardly timid will invariably join in a mass movement.They only need a courageous leader who can inspire the people and mobilise them for greater good.But the upper layers of the middle class though good enough to make an awareness, activism should remain with the working class and Govt servants.This should not be confined to the Sinhalese but get the Tamils and Muslims on board.The arrogance with which the Govt behaves is shown by the cabinet of Ministers endorsing the construction of Nelum Tower and a Sports village in Hambanthota.These excesses are not taken up to the rural folks.
What I most admire in Shirani Bandaranayaka is her courage and braveness to take the Regime head on. She has shown that these morons are nothing but card board heros. Remember that there is always a lull before a storm.

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Appudi Thappadi/January 27, 2013

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Dear Sunila, we unanimously appoint you to be this courageous leader.Please, accept for the countrys own goodnesses sake. We now humbly and dutifully await your esteemed inspiration and mobilisation for our greater good, singalish, thamils, mooselims and all.

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Dirty Arab/January 27, 2013

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Dear Sunila, do you think we can pull off our own Tahrir type of Arab Spring under your able leadership? Please reply in haste so that I can order my military boots and survival-kit before they get sold off fast.

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Shitty Thamilchelvam/January 27, 2013

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Being a woman, I admire your guts dear Sunila. I also fully endorse you as our leader for this revolution and hope to canvass further support for you among my lawyer friends and others.We have no choice but to work together to save our country.So as our defacto leader please tell me what my particular role in this military battle would be so that I could single-handedly train myself for the onslaught.Eagerly awaiting your swift response.

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the people of Sri Lanka also have courage in places we don’t normally see. As for Shirani it is the treatment that is in question and not her courage. The latter is not difficult for a person in her position, as she has offers for plumb overseas assignments not available to our little heroes.

Do not forget the little unsung heroes who fight the regime daily with nowhere to retreat to. If found it is certain death as they don’t have anyone to defend them let alone publicize their plight. It is for those people that we must fight the administration, not for the likes of Shirani B only.

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piyal/January 28, 2013

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Yes you are right. She acted according to her conscience. It appears that she has always acted according to her conscience, for examp, when she sat in judgement in cases involving devolution of power going aganst a judgement, when she got a discount(for her sister)of 1.5 million(again going aganst a cout ruling that Ceyilco properity be sold at the height price), when she manupulated her numerous bamk account to show zero balances to under state her wealth, when she said that her only income is her salary so as to avoid taxes. You are right Mr. rmb s. Please requset all other judges and citizens to understate wealth,bring all bank balances to zero as at 31st of march, use your position, power and get discounts from every tom, jack and harry (and define them as s normal thing and not a bribe, sit in judgement over cases pertaing to your husband.YOU ARE RIGHT mr. rmb s…

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mahendra/January 28, 2013

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It would have being good if further opportunity given to her with a proper panel to present her case. Then no one will not criticize the Govt.

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ari/January 28, 2013

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Our guys are very good to run away form the country and have a nice comfortable living elsewhere and criticize but do not help to fight the corrupt regime in any way.When SF try to do so, there were so many who were so critical for trivial matters such as manner of his speech etc.If you really want to help the fight,contact those who dare to fight and lead the fight and contribute what ever the little you can .If not personally but financially.what ever little you can give every month for those guys to get organized can do a lot.Call them and ask how can you help.If not writing and arguing in this columns will not help.

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silva/January 28, 2013

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Dr Shirani Bandaranayaks should be praised and treated as a national hero in the future. There are more than 200 ministers, MP’s and oppositiona legislature who are not able stand against Corrupt Rajapakse regeme. Especially being woman in discriminatory third world country ( That is what we are ) I salute her with dignity.

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Capitaan KuCool/January 28, 2013

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So when can we start erecting a statue in honor of this latest national hero of ours? Hope it doesnt suffer a Bogolls stunt like Lucsksman Kadirgamas statue suffered.

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DR RDD DE SILVA/January 28, 2013

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WELL SAID, SIR !!
LIVES OF GREAT MEN ALL REMIND US WE MUST LIVE OUR LIVES SUBLIME AND DEPARTING LEAVE BEHIND US FOOTSTEPS ON THE SANDS OF TIME.
SHE CERTAINLY WILL LEAVE HER FOOTSTEPS ON THE SANDS OF TIME. GOD BLESS HER COURAGE.

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Ex CJ is a rogue queen just like that Kumartunga woman who originally had the same surname.

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Samson/January 29, 2013

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So you should be one of the mistresses of that filthy mouthed Mervin Silva. Better not to disgrace the great srilanken lady – Dr. Bandaranayake. YOU WOUL DNOT FIND WORDS TO CALL YOUR MOST CORRUPTED BELOVED TSUNAMI Embezzeler-MR.

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Samson/January 29, 2013

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In fact CBK was not corrupt, but the bunch that she had to deal with were corrupted. What angers me, you the stupid women keep calling she had been corrupt – while defending most corrupted man in the current regime -MR. Let s see how far he can drive the wagon. Days are numbered.

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